Ashwagandha Vs CBD: Which Is Better?

CBD has been an extremely dominant force in the health and wellness industry for many decades. Over that time the natural hemp supplement has had its fair share of industry dominance thanks to its incredible health benefits. However, in recent years CBD has been having to share that dominance with another natural plant supplement, ashwagandha. 

While ashwagandha is a supplement that has been on the market for thousands of years, it was only recently that it became mainstream. Its newfound mainstream success has had many people putting it up against CBD trying to decipher which is best. 

In this article, we will take a look at what exactly ashwagandha is, what CBD is, the benefits of both supplements, the side effects of both supplements, the differences between them and more to decide which supplement is best. 

What Is Ashwagandha?

Known in science as Withania somnifera, ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that is grown in certain regions of India, Africa, and the Middle East. The shrub has been used for thousands of years as herbal medicine and also for ayurvedic medicines. Ayurvedic medicine is an alternative style of Indian medicine which is based on natural healing. 

It has in recent years skyrocketed in popularity within the mainstream health and wellness supplement industry thanks to the incredible health and mind benefits it can offer. 

Today, the supplement will typically be found in the form of capsules, powders or extracts. 

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Ashwagandha Benefits

While there are many scientific studies that have been conducted surrounding the benefits of ashwagandha, the science is very much in its infancy. However, many of these studies suggest that ashwagandha supplements provide the body and the mind with a huge amount of benefits. These benefits include, but are not limited to;

• Reduce Stress & Anxiety – One of the most notable benefits the studies suggest is the herbal supplements’ ability to significantly reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. This is because there is research that proposes that ashwagandha could decrease levels of the body’s main stress hormone, cortisol.

• Improve Athletic Performance – Another suggested benefit of ashwagandha is that it can be a very effective supplement for increasing athletic performance. This is because the research shows that it could increase an individual’s maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 Max). If true, this means that it can significantly improve heart and lung health.

Reduce Inflammation

Another potential benefit of ashwagandha that has some scientific backing is its ability to reduce inflammation. This is because the supplement contains multiple compounds, such as WA, which help to reduce inflammation within the body. 

Boost Testosterone

There is research that shows that taking ashwagandha can help to protect the testes from harmful oxidative stress. Testes are where testosterone is produced in the body, so protecting them from stresses can lead to an increase in testosterone production. 

Improve Sleep

 The studies that suggest that the supplement can improve feelings of stress and anxiety also show that this can help to significantly improve sleep performance. 

What Are The Side Effects of Taking Ashwagandha?

When taking ashwagandha in the suggested dosages, you should not experience any side effects. However, if you do not follow recommended dosages and take the supplement in large quantities then you could experience some side effects, such as;

• Stomach Upset
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting

What Is CBD?

CBD stands for Cannabidiol. CBD is one of more than 113 different cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. While it’s derived from the same plant as THC (the compound that causes a “high”), CBD itself is non-psychoactive. This means it doesn’t produce the same mind-altering effects.

CBD has been a top contender in the health and wellness industry now for numerous decades. It can be found in a number of different forms such as edibles, capsules, oils, balms, creams, salves, drinks and so many more. 

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How CBD works

The human body has a complex network of receptors known as the endocannabinoid system. This system plays a vital role in regulating various physiological processes, including pain, appetite, mood, and sleep. Two primary types of receptors within this system are the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

• CB1 Receptors – Primarily found in the brain, central nervous system, and peripheral organs. Involved in a wide range of functions, including: pain perception, appetite and metabolism, mood and emotions, motor coordination, cognitive function

• CB2 Receptors – Primarily found in the immune system, but also present in other tissues like the spleen, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal tract. Primarily involved in: immune system regulation, inflammation, bone growth, pain perception

Cannabis contains compounds known as cannabinoids, such as THC, CBG, CBC and CBD, that can interact with these receptors.

• Reduces Stress & Anxiety – There are suggestions that CBD could help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety through its relationship with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is because the ECS is a neural network that plays a significant role in cognitive functions such as feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Reduce Chronic Pain – The relationship between CBD and the ECS also helps to regulate other functions, one of them being pain. This can therefore lessen feelings of pain and significantly ease chronic pain conditions.

• Improved Sleep – CBD’s ability to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety also allows the supplement to have incredible sleep benefits. This is because the reduction of stress allows individuals to improve their overall sleep quality and therefore sleep performance.

• Anti-Inflammatory Effects – CBD is able to increase something called endocannabinoid signalling. This is a part of the ECS that helps to moderate inflammation. It does this by regulating the levels of cytokines (proteins responsible for inflammation) within the body.

Benefits of CBD

• Reduces Stress & Anxiety – There are suggestions that CBD could help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety through its relationship with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is because the ECS is a neural network that plays a significant role in cognitive functions such as feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Reduce Chronic Pain – The relationship between CBD and the ECS also helps to regulate other functions, one of them being pain. This can therefore lessen feelings of pain and significantly ease chronic pain conditions.

• Improved Sleep – CBD ability to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety also allows the supplement to have incredible sleep benefits. This is because the reduction of stress allows individuals to improve their overall sleep quality and therefore sleep performance.

• Anti-Inflammatory Effects – CBD is able to increase something called endocannabinoid signalling. This is a part of the ECS that helps to moderate inflammation. It does this by regulating the levels of cytokines (proteins responsible for inflammation) within the body.

What Are The Side Effects Of CBD?

CBD is typically a very safe supplement to consume. However, when taken in large and irrational dosages it can have side effects such as;

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhoea
• Reduced Appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue

To avoid such side effects, we would always advise you to start with lower doses of CBD and then work up until you find the dosage that works best for your body.

What Are The Similarities & Differences Between CBD & Ashwagandha

While they are two completely different supplements, they do share many similarities. The main similarities between the two supplements are some of the mutual health benefits that they share. Studies suggest that both supplements can have significant benefits of stress, anxiety, sleep and also reducing inflammation.

However, that is where their similarities stop. The supplements have completely different origins, mechanisms, uses, and forms. CBD is a cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant, whereas ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb which is taken from the roots of the Withania somnifera plant.

Ashwagandha Vs CBD: Which Is The Better Supplement?

Neither one of the supplements is better than the other. In fact, they are both incredible supplements that can offer a huge amount of potential health benefits. However, they are different supplements so it is incredibly important that you do the research to decipher which of them is best for you.

Ashwagandha supplements are better suited for individuals who are looking to decrease stress, improve energy, enhance focus, and just looking to increase overall vitality.

Whereas CBD supplements are better suited for individuals who are experiencing chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep problems.

However, if you are still unsure of which of the two supplements is best for you, we would advise that you speak with your doctor or medical GP and seek their advice, or contact us

Reviewed by Miracle Leaf Editorial Team

Our editorial team researches CBD, cannabinoid education, product quality and UK compliance standards to ensure content is accurate, transparent and easy to understand. Articles are reviewed for clarity and responsible consumer education before publication.